44 or 45
- Thread starter Nut3lla
- Start date
44 is a bit more versatile with ammo types, 44 specail for example and ive found it more common.
I own lever rifles in both calibers and reload for them both. If you're not a reloader, my local gun store sells both types of ammo. They appear to have "cowboy" loads for the 45 Colt, and "full power" loads for the 44 Rem Mag. For hunting, if you don't reload I'd go with the 44 as 44 Rem Mag is (IMHO) good for deer and deer-sized game.
If you are a reloader, it's more of a toss-up. Campro makes bullets for both calibers, brass is readily available, and LPP are, at least where I am, available. I contacted Henry, and was told that I could use 45 Colt +P loads in my rifle, so that is what I have been loading up to. I've taken three deer so far with it and hope to take more (with Hornady 250gr XTP bullets).
YMMV
If you are a reloader, it's more of a toss-up. Campro makes bullets for both calibers, brass is readily available, and LPP are, at least where I am, available. I contacted Henry, and was told that I could use 45 Colt +P loads in my rifle, so that is what I have been loading up to. I've taken three deer so far with it and hope to take more (with Hornady 250gr XTP bullets).
YMMV
I bought a Big Boy in 44 earlier this year. The 45s were in stock and there were quite a few....months later, all Big Boys were sold out except a multitude of 45 flavours...to this day the 45s are the only ones I see at the store. A range buddy and I were discussing this and he has seen this before and doesn't understand why the 45 is not more popular.
I do like the fact that the 44 can take magnum and special, though the specials aren't as widely available. And Tenda had some great sales on .44 a few months ago.
It seems to me that there are fewer varieties of 45 ammo in the retail space than 44.
I do like the fact that the 44 can take magnum and special, though the specials aren't as widely available. And Tenda had some great sales on .44 a few months ago.
It seems to me that there are fewer varieties of 45 ammo in the retail space than 44.
Locally around where I live, 44 mag ammo is more common. If you are not a reloader, I would say go with the 44 magnum.
One thing most people don't seem to consider when choosing between a 44RM or a 45LC, is cartridge rim diameter. I asked around why Winchester never made their 1873 in 45LC, as that would have made a lot of sense back then sharing pistol and rifle ammo just like they did with the 44-40. The consensus seems to be that the 45LC rim diameter is smaller than 44-40, (and 44RM), thus offering less grip area for the extractor, and possibly making a dirty rifle not extract as reliably.
Yeah sure, we all keep our rifles clean, but just incase it gets dirty, why not go with the advantage of a bigger rim, that offers more grip area for your extractor.....
Google research shows 44-40 rim is .054" bigger than the base, 44RM rim is .057" bigger than the base, and 45LC is only .032" bigger than the base.
I am sure there might be a few comments saying this is B.S. but I can only see why this would be an advantage and not a disadvantage.
One thing most people don't seem to consider when choosing between a 44RM or a 45LC, is cartridge rim diameter. I asked around why Winchester never made their 1873 in 45LC, as that would have made a lot of sense back then sharing pistol and rifle ammo just like they did with the 44-40. The consensus seems to be that the 45LC rim diameter is smaller than 44-40, (and 44RM), thus offering less grip area for the extractor, and possibly making a dirty rifle not extract as reliably.
Yeah sure, we all keep our rifles clean, but just incase it gets dirty, why not go with the advantage of a bigger rim, that offers more grip area for your extractor.....
Google research shows 44-40 rim is .054" bigger than the base, 44RM rim is .057" bigger than the base, and 45LC is only .032" bigger than the base.
I am sure there might be a few comments saying this is B.S. but I can only see why this would be an advantage and not a disadvantage.
Oh, the one thing I have noticed that is perhaps a slight negative.
Almost universally, cleaning kits have jags/brushes for 45. But NOT 44. In fact, I very seldom see exclusively 44 cleaning equipment. I have found the 45 kits/brushes don't quite fit the 44 and anything less is way too small.
Almost universally, cleaning kits have jags/brushes for 45. But NOT 44. In fact, I very seldom see exclusively 44 cleaning equipment. I have found the 45 kits/brushes don't quite fit the 44 and anything less is way too small.
If you are looking into Cowboy Action shooting, a Henry is the last rifle you want to buy. No aftermarket accessories, heavy and no gunsmith specializes in working the action. Good for hunting or plinking though. For 14 years I used a Marlin M1894S (.44 mag) in CAS, good competition and durable hunting rifle.
As for .44 Mag or .45 Colt, in CAS, I shoot both. My Ruger Original Vaqueros are in .44 mag and my Uberti M73 Carbine is in .45 Colt. These particular firearms were chosen for the accuracy that they give me with light cowboy loads. At one time I had 5 pairs of Original Vaqueros and 4 Uberti 73's to choose from. Some people have problems with 2 different calibers, I use a loading block when I go to the loading table at a match. Brass with a Red stripe is for the rifle, Blue stripe is for pistol. Been shooting these 2 particular calibers now for 7 years and never made a mistake of putting the wrong ammo in the wrong gun. As a reloader, I find that .44 mag brass is easier to find during the last 2 years.
As for .44 Mag or .45 Colt, in CAS, I shoot both. My Ruger Original Vaqueros are in .44 mag and my Uberti M73 Carbine is in .45 Colt. These particular firearms were chosen for the accuracy that they give me with light cowboy loads. At one time I had 5 pairs of Original Vaqueros and 4 Uberti 73's to choose from. Some people have problems with 2 different calibers, I use a loading block when I go to the loading table at a match. Brass with a Red stripe is for the rifle, Blue stripe is for pistol. Been shooting these 2 particular calibers now for 7 years and never made a mistake of putting the wrong ammo in the wrong gun. As a reloader, I find that .44 mag brass is easier to find during the last 2 years.
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